Having few desires
2600 years ago, Shakyamuni Buddha invited his fellow human beings to reconsider their relationship to the world. As he was dying, he gave eight recommendations, called the Eight Satori of the Great Man. The first satori was to have few desires,…
The absolute political act
To take the right posture, one needs be very delicate, with careful attention, total commitment. To take matters in hand without harming oneself. Some people are casual or arrogant enough to believe that they are beyond this practice. In the…
Cooperation with all existences
A baby in its mother's womb receives its life without making the slightest effort. It receives its mother's life. Its mother receives the life of the universe. We receive our life from the entire universe at all times.
This baby out of the…
Liberation
Zen is the most direct, simplest form of practicing Buddhism. Zen is nothing other than zazen, meditation without object.
To do zazen is to experience regained freedom and in doing so, to taste pure existence. During zazen, we are free because…
Liberation
Zen is the most direct, simplest form of practicing Buddhism. Zen is nothing other than zazen, meditation without object.
To do zazen is to experience regained freedom and in doing so, to taste pure existence. During zazen, we are free because…
Faith: Strength and Wisdom
An authentic and just life requires faith. In Buddhism, faith is not faith in something. It is not faith in beliefs or superstitions. It is not believing that an outside power can save us or solve the problem of life and death for us. We ought…
Free of Self
In the morning, when we don the kesa, we bring to mind what our practice is by singing :
O great garment of liberation
Field of happiness beyond all forms.
The kesa represents the Buddha's teaching, that is, the teaching of the universe.…
The mind of the morning of the world
The mind of zazen is the mind of the morning of the world, before the passions, before the flames rise. To awaken with the day which is dawning. Be careful not to let your mind take hold of the usual preoccupations. Maintain the calm of the…
Putting out the fire in our heads
Shakyamuni Buddha already said in his time: The world is in flames. So we must put out the fire in our heads, the flames of passions.
In 2002, at a world conference, a head of state said: Our house is burning and we are looking elsewhere.
Master…
Enjoy life totally
If you want something other than what the sky sends you, you will encounter difficulties. It is the history of humanity. From the moment you don't know how to deeply appreciate the situation that falls upon you, you search for something else...…
